Glenridding Common update

13 May 2017

Lake District National Park Authority decision expected to be made in June following local consultation

The Lake District National Park, following its local consultation from 17 January 2017 to 17 April 2017, is expected to review the proposal to lease Glenridding Common to the John Muir Trust at its Park Authority meeting on 21 June 2017.

The Trust has been involved in an extensive range of correspondence, one to one and public meetings during the consultation as it has made itself available to listen to and answer any questions from those with an interest.

Mike Daniels, the Trust’s head of land management said: “The Trust’s ambition is to sign a lease to take on the land management at Glenridding Common, working closely with local graziers, communities and organisations to help manage this special landscape.”

Pete Barron, the Trust’s Lake District land manager and long-term local resident and park ranger for the area, has been leading on the majority of those discussions. He said: “The overwhelming sentiment from the many local people who have spoken to me is there is a huge appetite for the John Muir Trust to take on the lease of Glenridding Common.

“The Trust’s commitment to respect the landscape and culture of the area, work with the local graziers and support flood mitigation, path repair and other conservation projects is seen as a positive.”

During the consultation the John Muir Trust has answered a number of queries on issues including its support for the current agro-pastoral system, its relevant land management experience, its willingness to work collaboratively across ecological, historical, cultural and social aspects of the landscape, and its respect for local commoners' rights. A key question has been the Trust’s stance on rewilding in the area. The Trust’s response has been clear, that it is fully supportive of the principles of rewilding – but critically, only in appropriate locations and only with the consent of the local community.

Mike Daniels said: “If the John Muir Trust is granted the lease, we would strive to continue to act in a consultative, open and transparent way with all stakeholders. We believe the consultation process has set the scene by being a dynamic, useful and engaging start for all concerned.”